Mike Hull and Miles Dieffenbach stayed together on their official recruiting visit to Penn State, which they turned into becoming roommates.

The two arrived at Penn State in 2010 as part of a big, heralded recruiting class that expected to achieve great things. They developed bonds as scout-team players that year, which Hull remembers fondly. He also looks around now to see so many faces gone.

"It's definitely weird," the linebacker said. "When we came in, there were like 30 of us. That first year, we had a great time. It was a tight-knit group. Then things started to happen."

Penn State will recognize 17 seniors when it hosts Michigan State on Saturday in the annual Senior Day game. Among them are just five players remaining from the 2010 recruiting class that was considered the Big Ten's best.

Hull, Dieffenbach, Brad Bars, C.J. Olaniyan and Zach Zwinak will appear at Beaver Stadium for the last time, with only four able to play against the Spartans. Zwinak's injury (along with one to former walk-on Ryan Keiser) was the last bit of attrition for a class that dwindled since 2010.

Of the 19 players in that recruiting class, six completed their eligibility as Penn State football players. Along with the five who will be honored Saturday, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones graduated last year and made the Tennessee Titans' roster.

It was a promising group at the time, loaded with linemen and some highly recruited players. Three (Hull, Silas Redd and Paul Jones) were five-star prospects, according to Rivals.com. Twelve others received four stars.

But then players began leaving for a variety of reasons. Redd, Rob Bolden, Khairi Fortt and Kevin Haplea transferred following the announcement of sanctions in 2012. Paul Jones, who was shifted from quarterback to tight end, left during the 2012 season.

Others left for different schools, Two players gave up football but remained enrolled at Penn State. One player, Evan Hailes, was forced to quit playing for medical reasons.

"Before you know it, we're down to like 10 guys," Hull said. "It changed the off-the-field dynamic of hanging out with the guys and getting that team camaraderie. On the field it was just different. You didn't see as many familiar faces that you saw on scout team during your freshman year."

But, as Hull and Dieffenbach bonded, so did their dwindling class. They lasted through the 2011 season, the death of the coach who recruited them, a new coach, the NCAA sanctions and another new coach this year.

"We're very tight," Dieffenbach said. "We stuck through it, we've done well, even thrived with all the different coaches and everything we've been through. That made our bond very special."

Penn State coach James Franklin said the group also helped make his transition smoother. Following last week's loss to Illinois, Franklin met with the captains (including Hull, Dieffenbach and Olaniyan) when the team returned Saturday night.

He called the meeting productive and said this year's seniors have been "awesome" for team morale.

"It's probably like this in a lot of professions, but you get frustrated or disappointed and you're going through some challenges or adversity," Franklin said. "As long as you're surrounded with really good people that care and are committed, you can talk through it, and you feel better.

"I know they made me feel better; gave me some perspective on some things that was really valuable. I think these seniors have been unbelievable. I know myself, as well as the rest of the staff and the young guys, look up to them and are very, very thankful."

Saturday's game will be one to watch, Dieffenbach said, because his class wants to go out "as a bunch of fighters." Teammates want that for the seniors as well.

"There's only a few of them left," redshirt junior Anthony Zettel said. "For them, I want to give everything I have. These guys really did everything they could to help Penn State through the sanctions. I want to go out and turn it up for them."

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Of the 19 players in Penn State's 2010 recruiting class, five will take part in Senior Day on Saturday. Catching up with the group, with remaining players bold-faced.

Brad Bars: Defensive lineman.

Kyle Baublitz: Graduated this year, did not return for final season of eligibility.

Rob Bolden: Transferred to LSU in 2012, then to Eastern Michigan in 2014.